SWOSU Opens Football Season

August 16, 2007

WEATHERFORD, Okla. -- Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s much anticipated 2007 football opener brings in a former longtime rival that promises to be a spirited matchup against teams that have staged many historic and memorable battles over the years. SWOSU's kickoff against Northwestern Oklahoma State University is set for Thursday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at Milam Stadium in Weatherford.

The two squads parted ways in 1997 when the Bulldogs joined NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference while the Rangers remained in the NAIA.

Since then both have enjoyed share of triumphs even without the coveted western Oklahoma bragging rights. SWOSU won a share of the LSC North Title in 1997 and had winning seasons in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. The Rangers won a NAIA title in 1999 and were runner-ups in 2000 and 2003.

“This is an important game, not only because of who it is, but where it falls on the schedule. We can set the tone for the remaining 10 games on our schedule with a good effort in week one,” SWOSU coach Ryan Held. “Northwestern has enjoyed a lot of success in the past few years. I imagine they are a lot like us…eager to get back at it on the football field.”

The teams have met 77 previous times going back 100 years to 1907. SWOSU holds a 46-27-4 advantage over the Rangers and beat NWOSU in back-to-back contests the last time they met in 1996. SWOSU knocked off NWOSU, then the NAIA’s No. 1 ranked team, by a score of 16-10 to gain a share of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference title. A week later the Bulldogs did it again winning 17-7 in the NAIA National Semifinals on their way to the NAIA championship.

Tonight’s game will likely add to the lore of the storied history as both teams are expected to do well in 2007. The Bulldogs have 15 starters back from last year’s 6-5 team that missed by an eyelash of sharing the LSC title. NWOSU is the NAIA’s No. 21 ranked team and favored to dominate again in the Central States Football League.

Offensively, SWOSU returns all-conference quarterback Jimmy Sangster along with star wide receivers Michael Cooper and Jonathan Haggerty. Both should benefit from an improved running game that now boasts a healthy Josh Postin at fullback and junior college transfer Brian Allen at tailback.

Defensively, there is a lot to like about SWOSU. Linebacker Greg Franklin and defensive back Desmond Baker headline a group that was good last year and should be even better in 2007. A handful of junior college transfers have already worked to the top of a fall depth chart and will be counted on to be difference-makers.

NWOSU will sport a complete new look this year as new coach Keith Barefield has taken charge. The coach and his staff have overhauled the offense and defense and are will rely on his son, Billy Barefield, a run-pass threat at quarterback who played previously at University of Memphis.